Everest Grand Circle: A Climbing and Skiing Adventure Through Nepal and Tibet [Hardcover]

Ned Gillette (Author), Jan Reynolds (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1985

Set a world record making a first ascent in winter in the Himalaya, climb and ski over 5 passes about 22,000 feet high, wander off the only map and get truly lost in Tibet before the time of GPS, live in caves for days without food, get lost again in Nepal looking for civilization, on this eduro expedition of 4 months at high altitude on the Everest Grand Circle expedition. This expedition book is written by the lone female on the expedition in tandem with the other co-leader, Ned Gillette. This enlightens the reader about both male and female points of view as the voices alternate throughout the book, sometimes describing the same event, quite differently. Find out who makes it all the way around Everest, in the first ever, record setting expedition, and who does not!

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1980, Gillette led an American climbing expedition to China; Reynolds was a member of his team. When the Chinese Mountaineering Association later also granted permission for a "ski trek" in Tibet, Gillette expanded his travel plans; he would encircle Mt. Everest in two phasesNepal in the winter, Tibet in the spring. The expedition, limited to four, would trek, climb and ski for more than 300 miles at altitudes above 17,000 feet. Gillette and Reynolds give alternating accounts of their adventure; it is a remarkable story of physical and mental endurance. In Nepal, they first climbed Pumoni (23,442 ft.) then crossed three remote high passes; they ran short of food, lost their way and eventually arrived in the Arun Valley. In Tibet, they met a British expedition en route to climb Everest (an expedition that would end in tragedy), and in both countries they crossed the trails of earlier mountaineers. A tale of tension and drama, this is a book to appeal to all who like an element of danger in their adventures. Photos. November
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Enthusiasts of two fast-growing participant sportstrekking and cross-country skiingwill read this adventure/travel book with pleasure. A party of four Americans walked, skied, and climbed in a great circuit around Mt. Everest in the winter and spring of 1981-82. The leaders report the trip in alternating sections. Reynolds, the woman of the party, is perceptive in observing how personal and emotional relationships change under the stresses of the trip. Gillette, whose text is more matter-of-fact, provides numerous color photos featuring both expedition activities and local culture. Paula M. Strain, Rockville, Md.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books; First Edition edition (November 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089886111X
• ISBN-13: 978-0898861112
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,490,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Everest Grand Circle: A Climbing and Skiing Adventure Through Nepal and Tibet, September 23, 2010

By 

tulley hubbell - See all my reviews

This review is from: Everest Grand Circle: A Climbing and Skiing Adventure Through Nepal and Tibet (Hardcover)

The title doesn't do this book justice! It's quite a bit more than a "climbing and skiing adventure". World records were set, and new routes done, on one of the first expeditions taking place in the brutal winter season in the Himalaya. No one had climbed all the passes around Everest to circle the peak, ever, before this crazy crew. They started with the first winter ascent of the peak Pumori, which is the daughter peak next to Everest, and proceeded to live for 4 months at high altitude crossing 5 passes between 20-22,000 feet, after climbing a major peak. It was quite an endurance feat. The party was without food, living in caves at times, but I don't want to spoil it for you! If anyone ever wanted to know the terrain intimately on all sides of Everest, this is the book for you.